Italian national dies in Venezuela earthquake aftermath; Italy sends aid

The Italian ambassador to Caracas, Giovanni Umberto De Vito, expressed deep sorrow following confirmation that an Italian-Venezuelan citizen died in a building collapse in La Guaira, approximately 30 kilometers from the capital. The victim, born in 1970 and originally from Enna, Sicily, had relatives in Italy.

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It is very painful when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just confirmed that an Italian-Venezuelan citizen... died in the collapse of one of the buildings that came down in La Guaira.

Ambassador De Vito stated that over 10,000 dual-passport Italian citizens reside in the areas most affected by the catastrophe, including Carabobo, Puerto Cabello, and La Guaira. The embassy has mobilized its team, including the consul general and honorary consuls, to contact hospitals, clinics, and assistance centers in search of Italians who may be affected. He noted that while some buildings collapsed, many houses were damaged, and numerous individuals have found refuge with relatives and friends.

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There are over 10,000 of our compatriots with dual passports living in the areas most affected by the catastrophe, between Carabobo, Puerto Cabello and La Guaira, an immense area.

De Vito also highlighted Italy's swift response, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani immediately requesting the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism. A team of doctors and rescuers from Italy's Civil Protection department is scheduled to depart from Ciampino airport soon to provide assistance in Venezuela. The ambassador personally welcomed families of an Italian embassy employee and a UN official into his residence after they lost their homes.

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The most important thing is to emphasize that Italy, with our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, immediately requested the activation of the European civil protection mechanism. And a team of doctors and rescuers from our Civil Protection will depart in the next few hours from Ciampino to come to Venezuela to help.

Community efforts are underway, with Paolo Calandro, president of Casa de Italia, an association of Italians in Caracas founded in 1929, issuing an appeal offering shelter to those in need. Following two strong tremors on Tuesday evening, around 300 Italians gathered in the large outdoor parking lot of the Centro Italo Venezolano, unwilling to return to their homes. Carlos Villino, president of the Committee of Italians Abroad in Caracas, organized WhatsApp groups to reach out to those unaccounted for. Lawyer Vincenzo Di Martino, representing the General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE) for Venezuela, described the widespread fear among the estimated 150,000 dual-passport Italo-Venezuelans, with many still displaced and unable to recharge their mobile phones.

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We are ready to host those who need it.